Psalm 77

Psalm 77 (Greek numbering: Psalm 76) is the 77th psalm in the biblical Book of Psalms. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 76.

This article uses Hebrew (Masoretic) psalm numbering. Psalm 77 in Greek (Septuagint or Vulgate) numbering corresponds to Psalm 78 in Hebrew numbering.

Content

The psalm begins with a cry of distress: the psalmist has been experiencing profound difficulties, and his cries to God appear to have been ignored; only his memories of the past seem to bring anything even resembling joy. However, the psalmist then remembers God's integrity and realises that the failure of his hopes is the result of misplaced expectations of God's actions, rather than God's failure to act. Recalling God's actions in the past and his rule even over the natural world, he concludes with praise of "the God who performs miracles" (verse 14).[1]

Uses

Judaism

Psalm 77 is recited along with Parshat HaChodesh and is recited on the third through sixth days of Sukkot.[2]

Psalm 77 is one of the ten Psalms of the Tikkun HaKlali of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.[3][4]

Interpretations

Coming from an evangelical Protestant perspective, Charles Spurgeon deemed the psalm the words of a single individual, in contrast to others who had interpreted it as representing the voice of the nation: "It utterly destroys all the beauty, all the tenderness and depth of feeling in the opening portion, if we suppose that the people are introduced speaking in the first person."[1] John Calvin observed parallels to certain other biblical poetry, such as Psalm 118:18 and the hymn in the final chapter of Habakkuk: according to Calvin, the three share a common theme of becoming aware of ultimate divine deliverance from seemingly intractable terrors.[5]

Song

Peter van Essen's Dutch song, In het diepst van de nacht is based on Psalm 77.

References
  1. Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. The Treasury of David: Psalm 77 Archived 2013-07-09 at the Wayback Machine. Digital edition, 2011. Accessed 2013-11-08.
  2. The Artscroll Tehillim page 329
  3. Weintraub, Rabbi Simkha Y. (2018). "Psalms as the Ultimate Self-Help Tool". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  4. Greenbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2007). "The Ten Psalms: English Translation". azamra.org. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  5. Calvin, Jean. Commentary on Psalms. Vol. 3: Psalm 77:7-10. Digital edition, 2005. Accessed 2013-11-08.
  • Psalm 77 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 77 King James Bible - Wikisource
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.